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Gear Review | SCOTT E1 Patrol AP 30

Successful all-rounder with the lightest electronic airbag system on the market

by Alex Schober • 02/01/2019
SCOTT E1 Patrol AP 30

SCOTT E1 Patrol AP 30

SCOTT E1 Patrol AP 30

The pressure to innovate and the high demand in the avalanche backpack sector have led to constant improvements, expansions and innovations over the years: lighter, cheaper, more user-friendly, more stylish - the numerous manufacturers are working hard and delivering ever more sophisticated systems. In close collaboration with Alpride, Scott developed the E1 Patrol AP 30, which raises the bar in the field of electronic airbags.

The Alpride E1 airbag system works with so-called "supercapacitors", which store the energy required to inflate the airbag. This type of energy storage is less sensitive to cold and has the advantage that it does not cause any problems when travelling by air. (These same problems often occur with the usual lithium-ion batteries and cartridges).

In the event of triggering - which is passed on to the batteries according to the mechanical principle - the supercapacitors are able to release a high level of energy to the fan within a very short time. This draws in ambient air in addition to the air conveyed by the fan. This creates an air suction that results in higher pressure and faster achievement of the airbag's maximum volume. The stored energy of the supercapacitors is (theoretically) sufficient for 2 to 3 complete inflations of the airbag, but it is recommended to charge them after each deployment. They can be charged either via a micro-USB connection or via a small compartment that can be fitted with two AA batteries. The former takes approx. 20 minutes, charging via batteries takes approx. 40 minutes to an hour.

A major advantage of the system is the ability to carry out test deployments without any fuss or expense so that you can act effectively in an emergency. If the airbag is deployed, the air can be released from the blower, the airbag is folded into the compartment, the supercapacitors are charged - and you are ready for another (test) deployment.

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SCOTT E1 Patrol AP 30

SCOTT E1 Patrol AP 30

SCOTT E1 Patrol AP 30

Test report

We were able to test the airbag for an entire season and had it with us for pure off-piste skiing in the ski resort, on day ski tours as well as on demanding alpine adventures in spring. With a capacity of 30 litres, the Patrol is in the upper range of daypacks, but we found this very pleasant, as it can be easily compressed when the storage space is unused. Unfortunately, we were unable to use it for a multi-day tour as (in our opinion) 30 litres would be a little small. Apart from that, there is enough space in the backpack for everything you need for a day: the Patrol only reaches its limits when packed with skins, snow/crampons, ice axes, glacier equipment, a water bottle, snacks, a change of clothes and a camera. If the backpack is more heavily loaded, the rather minimalist hip belt is noticeable. Although there is a small widening at the sides, it mainly consists of a single strap. As a result, it is only possible to transfer the weight of the backpack to the hips to a limited extent.

Inside the main compartment, in addition to the "electronics", there is a slide-in compartment for avalanche equipment and a lockable map compartment. A lined ski goggle pocket is also integrated into the backpack via a zip.

Thanks to its elongated, rather slim shape, the backpack sits comfortably close to the back and - as already mentioned - is super compressible. Thanks to numerous features such as daisy chains, straps, the helmet net and ice axe holders, equipment can be firmly attached to the backpack. The ski/snowboard holders (A-shaped, diagonal, vertical) also fit well and prevent unwanted wobbling around. The release handle can be adjusted to your height and integrated into both sides of the shoulder strap. After one season of use, we can describe the workmanship of the backpack as very good: There are hardly any signs of wear, and the zips still open and close smoothly. Only a small discolouration of the outer material can be seen (coffee bottle leak).

SCOTT E1 Patrol AP 30

SCOTT E1 Patrol AP 30

Jonas Umbach

SCOTT E1 Patrol AP 30

Jonas Umbach

Triggering and reuse

The airbag is activated by pulling firmly on the deployment handle. A turbine-like noise builds up relatively quickly and the airbag is fully inflated within a few seconds. To release the air, a valve on the blower is pressed manually and the airbag is loaded at the same time. The air then flows out of the airbag in the opposite direction. Towards the end, this is unfortunately somewhat laborious, as it would actually take two hands pressing on the airbag to deflate it completely. With a little practice, however, this is easy to do on your own and the subsequent folding of the airbag is also easy to manage.

To charge the supercapacitors, the "centrepiece" of the backpack must be lifted a little so that the micro USB port is exposed. With the included charger and cable, the supercapacitors are fully recharged within 20 minutes, which is indicated by a green LED on the side above the hip belt. According to the manufacturer, the capacitors store energy for up to 3 months. When not in use, one or two intermediate charges per season should therefore be sufficient.

Conclusion

The Scott E1 Patrol AP 30 proved to be a very comfortable companion. As long as it is not too heavily loaded, it is comfortable to wear close to the body thanks to its slim design. I found this much more annoying with many other (airbag) backpacks and I wouldn't want to be without the comfort of the Patrol. In the end, it can be said that this backpack is a high-quality, well thought-out product, which definitely justifies the high price. Compared to other airbag systems, its user-friendly deployment mechanism is particularly impressive. The Alpride E1 is also the lightest electronic airbag system on the market. The only deduction I would make is for the minimalist hip belt.

Details

RRP: 899€
- Construction:
  - H/T 420 D Nylon Plain W/R
  - 1500mm
  - H/T 210 D Nylon Double R/S W/R
  - 1000mm
- Composition: Outer material: 100% polyamide. Lining: 100% polyester
- Dimensions: 60-28-19cm
- Weight (approx.): 1390g rucksack, 1280g Alpride system

Here is the manufacturer's website with further information.

This product was provided to PowderGuide free of charge by the manufacturer for testing. You can find out how we test it in our test statement.

SCOTT E1 Patrol AP 30

SCOTT E1 Patrol AP 30

SCOTT E1 Patrol AP 30

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